Trench kicker for use in a concrete form system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a trench kicker for use in a concrete form system. A trench kicker is configured to provide lateral support to concrete form panels on horizontal surfaces as well as along embankments or trench walls. Features of the embodiments of trench kickers disclosed herein include horizontal and/or vertical adjustment of the form panel height and/or angle of the form panel relative to vertical. Another feature is selective tension adjustment along a horizontal support member. The trench kickers are configured to receive one or more stakes for secure placement into ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional patent application claims benefit and priority under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/842,732 filed on Sep. 7, 2006, titled “TRENCH KICKER FOR USEIN A CONCRETE FORM SYSTEM”, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to concrete form systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a trench kicker that isuseful for supporting panels in a concrete form system.

2. Description of Related Art

Lateral support of concrete form panels may be achieved by stakes driveninto the horizontal ground adjacent to or through attachments on theouter surfaces of concrete form panels. Some applications of concreteforms require additional lateral support along an embankment or trenchwall rather than on a horizontal surface outside of the concrete formsystem. One such application would be in a trench along the outerperimeter of a mono-slab concrete pour. Rather than using stakes alone,another approach is to use grade brackets such as the grade bracketsdescribed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/466,071. Stakesand grade brackets may not provide enough lateral support oradjustability of the placement of the concrete form in trenches, on agrade or hill.

Still another approach is to use grade brackets and additional woodensupports between trench walls and concrete form systems to provideadditional lateral support to the concrete forms. While suchconventional systems may provide support for concrete form panelsadjacent to trenches, it is inconvenient to have to employ woodensupports in addition to the grade brackets. Furthermore, such systems donot provide great flexibility for adjusting the vertical, horizontal andangular support of concrete form panels on uneven soil laterallyadjacent the form panels.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a trench kicker that isuseful for laterally supporting panels in a concrete form system in avariety of soil grades and conditions that require adjustable support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a trench kicker is disclosed. The embodiment of atrench kicker may include a bottom support bracket configured to hold abottom edge of a concrete form panel. The embodiment of a trench kickermay further include a top support bracket adjustably linked to thebottom support bracket and configured to hold a top edge of a concreteform panel. The embodiment of a trench kicker may further include ahorizontal support member adjustably linked to the bottom supportbracket. The embodiment of a trench kicker may further include aplurality of stake supports disposed along the horizontal supportmember, each stake support configured for attachment to a stake.

An embodiment of an adjustable trench kicker is disclosed. Theembodiment of an adjustable trench kicker may include a hanger bracketfor holding a concrete form panel. The embodiment of an adjustabletrench kicker may further include a channel bracket configured forrotationally engaging the hanger bracket. The embodiment of anadjustable trench kicker may further include a slider bracket configuredfor sliding engagement with the channel bracket. The embodiment of anadjustable trench kicker may further include a horizontal adjustment forselectively locking the channel bracket to the slider bracket.

Another embodiment of a trench kicker is disclosed. This embodiment of atrench kicker may include a hanger bracket for holding a concrete formpanel. This embodiment of a trench kicker may further include a channelbracket configured for engaging the hanger bracket. This embodiment of atrench kicker may further include a slider bracket configured forsliding engagement with the channel bracket. This embodiment of a trenchkicker may further include a plurality of stake apertures in the channelbracket and the slider bracket, wherein aligned stake apertures in thechannel bracket and the slider bracket may receive a stake therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention,a more particular description of the invention will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in theappended drawings. It will be appreciated that these drawings depictonly typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of the scope of the invention. The invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a left-rear perspective photograph of a trench kickeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is right-side perspective photograph of a trench kicker accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left-side perspective drawing of an adjustable trench kickeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right-side perspective photograph of an adjustable trenchkicker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left-side perspective drawing of an adjustable trench kickerwith a channel bracket shown in phantom lines according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective, right-side, front and top views of anembodiment of a hanger bracket, according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7D are perspective, top, right-side and end views of anembodiment of a channel bracket according to the present invention

FIGS. 8A-8D are perspective, top, right-side, and end views of a sliderbracket, according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a photographic image of adjustable trench kickers used tosupport concrete form panels in a concrete form system.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of another embodiment of a trench kicker accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of anembodiment of a channel bracket according to the present invention.

FIGS. 12A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of anembodiment of a slider bracket according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to figures of embodiments of the presentinvention wherein like structures will be provided with like referencedesignations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic andschematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention and are neither limiting of the present invention nor are theynecessarily drawn or shown to scale.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a trench kicker, showngenerally at arrow 100, is shown according to the present invention.Trench kicker 100 may include a bottom support bracket 102 configured tohold a bottom edge 104 of a concrete form panel 106. Trench kicker 100may also include a top support bracket 108 in communication with thebottom support bracket 102 and configured to hold a top edge 110 of aconcrete form panel 106. Trench kicker 100 may further include avertical adjustment 112 configured for selectively locking the bottomsupport bracket 102 in a desired vertical position. Trench kicker 100may further include a horizontal support member 114 in communicationwith the bottom support bracket 102. Trench kicker 100 may furtherinclude a plurality of adjustable stake supports 116 (two shown inFIG. 1) along the horizontal support member, each configured forattachment to a stake 118 (two shown in FIG. 1). Adjustable stakesupports 116 may be configured with hand-operated fittings (as shown inFIG. 1) or knobs (not shown) for tightening and loosening the trenchkicker grip on stakes 118. Alternatively, adjustable stake supports 116may be configured with tool-operated bolts or the like for securing thehorizontal support member 114 at the desired location along the lengthof stake 118. Adjustable stake supports may have an aperture (as shownin FIG. 1) for receiving a stake therethrough. Trench kicker 100 mayfurther include a bracket 120 for receiving bottom support bracket 102and horizontal support member 114.

The embodiments of a trench kicker 100 disclosed herein are configuredfor supporting a concrete form panel 106 used in a concrete form systemin any desired position. The desired position may be over a trench usedin the construction of a mono-slab of concrete. The mono-slab ofconcrete may or may not have a thickened edge or region for receivingoverflow near the bottom edges of the mono-slab of concrete. However,the trench kicker 100 is not limited to use in supporting concrete formpanels 106 over trenches. For example, trench kicker 100 may be used tosupport concrete form panels 106 in any desired position on any surfacematerial capable of accepting stakes 118. For example and not by way oflimitation, trench kicker 100 may be used to support a concrete formpanel 106 on flat ground or pavement without any underlying trench ifdesired. A trench kicker 100 is generally supported by a plurality ofstakes 118 (two shown) placed into ground 124. Furthermore, trenchkicker 100 is generally supported via the stakes 118 at a positionlaterally adjacent to the concrete form panel 106.

FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective photograph of a trench kicker 100according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the use of a trenchkicker 100 being used to support a concrete form panel 106 at an angle,θ, relative to vertical. Note also that the horizontal support member114 may be supported by stakes 118 in any suitable angle relative to theground 124. This is a particularly useful feature where the trenchkicker 100 is used over a trench and the ground 124 to which the stakes118 are inserted may be soft dirt that has recently been removed from atrench. Additionally as shown in FIG. 2, horizontal support member 114need not be supported at an angle parallel to ground 124. This isparticularly useful in conditions where the ground is not level. Theadjustable stake supports may allow for any suitable angle of the stakes118 in obtaining support for the concrete form panel 106. Thus,according to one embodiment of trench kicker 100, each of the stakesupports 116 is configured to lock a stake 118 at any angle relative tothe long axis of the horizontal support member 114.

Referring again to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of trench kicker100, bottom support bracket 102 may have a hook (not visible in FIG. 1)for receiving the bottom edge 104 of the concrete form panel 106. Bottomsupport bracket 102 may be configured with a hollow structure to receivetop support bracket 108 disposed within bottom support bracket 102,according to the illustrated embodiment.

Trench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal adjustment 122configured for selectively locking the horizontal support member 114 ina desired horizontal position. According to another embodiment of trenchkicker 100, the horizontal adjustment 122 may be in communication withthe bracket 120. For example and not by way of limitation, horizontaladjustment 122 may be mounted directly to bracket 120 as shown in FIG.1.

Top support bracket 108 may be configured with a hook 126 for holding atop edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106. Top support bracket 108 maybe spring-loaded to hold the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel106, according to one embodiment of the present invention. According toanother embodiment, top support bracket 108 may be held in place bygravity. According to yet another embodiment, top support bracket 108may be held in place by any suitable adjustable locking mechanism (notshown in FIG. 1 but, for example, similar to the vertical adjustment 112or the horizontal adjustment 122).

Top support bracket 108 may be in slidable communication with bottomsupport bracket 102. For example in one embodiment, top support bracket108 may fit just inside a hollow bottom support bracket 102. Accordingto another embodiment, support bracket 108 may be hollow and fit justaround bottom support bracket 102. Of course other possibleconfigurations may include the top support bracket 108 configured toadjustably slide adjacent the bottom support bracket 102.

Bottom support bracket 102, top support bracket 108, horizontal supportmember 114 and bracket 120 are all shown with square cross-sections inFIG. 1. Other embodiments with round cross-sections or other shapedcross-sections are also contemplated to be within the scope of thepresent invention.

Vertical adjustment 112 and horizontal adjustment 122 may be configuredwith hand-operated fittings 128 as shown in FIG. 1 or knobs (not shown).Alternatively, vertical adjustment 112 and horizontal adjustment 122 maybe configured with tool-operated bolts, quick-release mechanisms orother fasteners known to those skilled in the art.

Trench kicker 100 may be formed of carbon steel, stainless steel,aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber or any other suitable material. Trenchkicker 100 may be configured to work with any suitably sized concreteform panel 106. The material from which concrete form panel 106 isformed is generally of no consequence as long as it is supportable usingthe bottom support bracket 102 with hook (not shown) and top supportbracket 108 with hook 126. For example, concrete form panel 106 may beformed of aluminum, wood, steel, plastic or any other suitable concreteform panel material. Hook 126 may be configured for a snug fit (frictionfit) or loose fit with the concrete form panel 106 as desired. Hook 126may be of any suitable shape or material consistent with the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 isdisclosed below. This embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may include abottom support bracket 102 configured to hold a bottom edge 104 of aconcrete form panel 106. The trench kicker 100 may further include a topsupport bracket 108 adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket 102and configured to hold a top edge 110 of a concrete form panel 106. Thetrench kicker 100 may further include a horizontal support member 114adjustably linked to the bottom support bracket 102. The trench kicker100 may further include a plurality of stake supports 116 disposed alongthe horizontal support member 114, each stake support 116 configured forattachment to a stake 118.

Another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may further include a bracket120 for receiving the bottom support bracket 102 and the horizontalsupport member 114. According to yet another embodiment, trench kicker100 may further include a horizontal adjustment configured forselectively locking the horizontal support member in a desiredhorizontal position. According to still another embodiment, the bracketmay include the horizontal adjustment configured for selectively lockingthe horizontal support member in a desired horizontal position.

Another embodiment of a trench kicker 100 may further include a verticaladjustment 112 configured for selectively locking the bottom supportbracket 102 in a desired vertical position. According to anotherembodiment of a trench kicker 100, the top support bracket 108 slideswithin the bottom support bracket 102. Of course another embodiment (notshown) contemplates the bottom support bracket 102 sliding within thetop support bracket 108.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the top support bracket 108may be configured for spring biasing against the top edge 110 of theconcrete form panel 106. One of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize various means of applying a spring bias to hold the topsupport bracket 108 against the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel106, e.g., leaf and coil springs. The embodiment of trench kicker 100illustrated simply relies on gravity to hold the top support bracket 108against the top edge 110 of the concrete form panel 106, which issufficient for most all purposes.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, an adjustable trench kicker 300 is shown.Adjustable trench kicker 300 may include a hanger bracket 302 forholding a concrete form panel 106. According to another embodiment, thehanger bracket 302 may be configured to be adjustable for differingheights of concrete form panels 106. Alternatively, hanger brackets 302may be configured for specific heights of standard concrete form panels106. FIGS. 6A-6D are perspective, right-side, front and top views of anembodiment of a hanger bracket 302. FIG. 6B illustrates top hook 312 andbolt hole 310. Note that the dimensions shown are exemplary only andthat the inside length, L, can be made for any suitable height of aconcrete form panel 106.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may furtherinclude a channel bracket 304 configured for rotationally engaging thehanger bracket 302. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3and 6, the hanger bracket 302 may be configured with a plurality of boltholes 310 for mounting to the channel bracket 304. Rotational engagementof the channel bracket 304 to the hanger bracket 302 facilitates preciseplacement and support of the concrete form panel 106. Any suitable meansmay be used for rotationally engaging, including nuts and bolts 318(FIG. 4), bushings, bearings or any other rotational engagement meansknown to those skilled in the art. According to another embodiment, thechannel bracket 304 may be configured for fixed engagement with thehanger bracket 302. The fixed engagement function may be achieved byusing nuts and bolts 318 (FIG. 4). The fixed engagement may allow forthe concrete form panel to be at any suitable angle, θ (FIG. 2),relative to vertical. Additionally, the fixed engagement may allow forthe channel bracket 304 to be at any suitable angle (not shown) relativeto horizontal ground to achieve the desired support. FIGS. 7A-7D areperspective, top, right-side and end views of an embodiment of channelbracket 304 according to the present invention. FIG. 7B illustratestension adjustment apertures 322A and stake aperture 330. FIG. 7Cillustrates channel 328, hole 334 and bolt holes 310. FIG. 7Dillustrates the “C” cross-section of channel bracket 304 within whichslider bracket 306 slides. Again, the dimensions shown in FIGS. 7B-7Dare exemplary only and not intended to be limiting of the invention.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may furtherinclude a slider bracket 306 configured for sliding engagement with thechannel bracket 304. Slider bracket 306 further includes at least onestake aperture for receiving a stake 118 therethrough. According to theillustrated embodiment, slider bracket 306 may be sized to slide withinchannel bracket 304. According to another embodiment (not shown) acooperating set of grooves and channels formed in the channel bracket304 and slider bracket 306 may be employed to achieve slidingengagement. Additionally, lubrication in the form of graphite, grease oroil may also be used between the channel bracket 304 and slider bracket306 according to other embodiments of adjustable trench kicker 300.FIGS. 8A-8D are perspective, top, right-side, and end views of a sliderbracket 306, according to the present invention. FIG. 8B illustrates aplurality of tension adjustment apertures 322B (five shown) and a stakeaperture 332. FIG. 8C illustrates a horizontal adjustment hole 802 forreceiving bolt 338 (FIG. 5) of the horizontal adjustment 308.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, adjustable trench kicker 300 may furtherinclude a horizontal adjustment 308 for selectively locking the channelbracket 304 to the slider bracket 306. As best shown in FIG. 5, (wherechannel bracket 304 is shown in phantom lines) horizontal adjustment 308may include a knob 336 and/or bolt 338 with or without a washer or plate340. It will be understood that one of skill in the art will readilyrecognize that horizontal adjustment 308 may be achieve by manyequivalent structures, e.g., a locking lever, clamp, or pin.

According to the illustrated embodiment of adjustable trench kicker 300,hanger bracket 302 includes a top hook 312 (best illustrated in FIG. 4)configured for contacting an inside surface 314 and a top edge 110 ofthe concrete form panel 106. According to the illustrated embodiment ofadjustable trench kicker 300, hanger bracket 302 may further include abottom lip 316 (FIG. 4) configured to engage a bottom edge 104 (FIG. 3)of the concrete form panel 106 (FIG. 3).

According to another embodiment, adjustable trench kicker 300 mayfurther include a mechanism shown generally at 320 (FIGS. 3 and 5) forselectively adjusting the tension between the channel bracket 304 andthe slider bracket 306. As best shown in FIG. 5, the mechanism 320 mayinclude tension adjustment apertures 322A, 322B in the channel bracket304 and the slider bracket 306, respectively, wherein opposing alignedor partially aligned tension adjustment apertures 322A, 322B may beengaged by a lever 324 to slidably adjust (shown as light gray arrows326 in FIG. 3 moving lever 324) the channel bracket 304 relative to theslider bracket 306. According to the illustrated embodiment (FIGS. 3 and5), lever 324 may be a stake 118 because stakes 118 will be readilyavailable with most any concrete form system.

Of course other equivalent mechanisms 320 (not shown) will be readilyapparent to one of skill in the art, and are contemplated to be withinthe scope of the present invention. For example, and not by way oflimitation, a knob and screw adjustment or a ratchet mechanism could beused to incrementally adjust the position of the slider bracket 306within the channel bracket 304 to set the tension between the ground 124and the concrete form panel 106. The precise adjustment of the tensionmay be fixed by engaging horizontal adjustment 308. As shown in FIGS.3-4, horizontal adjustment 308 may slide within channel 328 formed inchannel bracket 304.

According to the illustrated embodiment of adjustable trench kicker 300,channel bracket 304 may further include at least one stake aperture 330(one shown) for receiving a stake therethrough. The stake aperture 330provides a location near the concrete form panel 106 for securing theadjustable trench kicker 300 to the ground 124 (FIG. 1). Adjustabletrench kicker 300 may further include a hole 334 in the channel bracket304 near the stake aperture 330 for locking the adjustable trench kicker300 to a stake 118 passing through stake aperture 330. The lockingfunction may be achieved with a bolt (not shown) or an adjustable stakesupport 116 (FIG. 1), for example and not by way of limitation.

FIG. 9 is a photographic image of adjustable trench kickers 300 used tosupport concrete form panels 106 in a concrete form system. Note thathanger brackets 302 are configured for a double high concrete form panel106. Stakes 118 may be used to secure the trench kickers to the groundas desired.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of another embodiment of a trench kicker 500.Trench kicker 500 may include a hanger bracket 302 for holding aconcrete form panel as described above. Trench kicker 500 does notinclude a horizontal adjustment 308 as described above. Rather, trenchkicker 500 is configured for a discrete number of selectable lengths.

Trench kicker 500 may further include a channel bracket 504 configuredfor engaging the hanger bracket 302. The engagement may be by nut andbolt 318 (FIG. 4) as described above. The channel bracket 504 may have aplurality of stake apertures 330 (three shown in FIG. 10). Trench kicker500 may further include a slider bracket 506 configured for slidingengagement with the channel bracket 504. As shown in FIG. 10, sliderbracket 506 may slide within the channel bracket 504 but other schemesor mechanisms may be used for sliding engagement.

FIGS. 11A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of achannel bracket 504 according to the present invention. FIG. 11Billustrates stake apertures 330 (three shown) in the channel bracket504. FIG. 11C illustrates bolt holes 310 used for engaging hangerbracket 302 (FIG. 10) with a nut and bolt (not shown, but see 318 inFIG. 4). FIG. 11D illustrates the “C” cross-section of channel bracket504. The dimensions shown in FIGS. 11B-D are merely exemplary and notintended to be limiting of scope of channel brackets 504 consistent withthe present invention.

FIGS. 12A-D illustrate perspective, top, right-side and end views of aslider bracket 506. FIG. 12B illustrates stake apertures 332 (threeshown). Note that one or more stake apertures 332 may be aligned withstake apertures 330 of the channel bracket 504 to allow insertion of astake 118 (FIG. 1) to secure a trench kicker 500 to the ground 124 (FIG.1). It will be understood that the spacing of stake aperture 332 alongslider bracket 506 may be identical to the spacing of stake apertures330 of the channel bracket 504 according to one embodiment. This featureallows for a plurality of discrete horizontal lengths to be achievedwith the combination of channel bracket 504 and slider bracket 506 inthe trench kicker 500. According to other embodiments, stake apertures330 and 332 may number greater than three on each respective bracket andmay also be arbitrarily spaced.

While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifestedin the illustrated embodiments of the invention, a variety of changescan be made to the configuration, design and construction of theinvention to achieve those advantages. Hence, reference herein tospecific details of the structure and function of the present inventionis by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

1. A trench kicker, comprising: a bottom support bracket configured tohold a bottom edge of a concrete form panel; a top support bracketadjustably linked to the bottom support bracket and configured to hold atop edge of a concrete form panel; a horizontal support memberadjustably linked to the bottom support bracket; and a plurality ofstake supports disposed along the horizontal support member, each stakesupport configured for attachment to a stake.
 2. The trench kickeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a horizontal adjustmentconfigured for selectively locking the horizontal support member in adesired horizontal position.
 3. The trench kicker according to claim 1,further comprising a bracket for receiving the bottom support bracketand the horizontal support member.
 4. The trench kicker according toclaim 3, wherein the bracket further comprises a horizontal adjustmentconfigured for selectively locking the horizontal support member in adesired horizontal position.
 5. The trench kicker according to claim 1,further comprising a vertical adjustment configured for selectivelylocking the bottom support bracket in a desired vertical position. 6.The trench kicker according to claim 1, wherein the top support bracketslides within the bottom support bracket.
 7. The trench kicker accordingto claim 1, wherein the top support bracket is configured for springbiasing against the top edge of the concrete form panel.
 8. The trenchkicker according to claim 1, wherein each of the stake supports isconfigured to lock a stake at any angle relative to a long axis of thehorizontal support member.
 9. An adjustable trench kicker, comprising: ahanger bracket for holding a concrete form panel; a channel bracketconfigured for rotationally engaging the hanger bracket; a sliderbracket configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket; anda horizontal adjustment for selectively locking the channel bracket tothe slider bracket.
 10. The adjustable trench kicker according to claim9, wherein the hanger bracket is configured with a plurality of boltholes for mounting to the channel bracket.
 11. The adjustable trenchkicker according to claim 9, wherein the hanger bracket furthercomprises a top hook configured for contacting an inside surface and atop edge of the concrete form panel.
 12. The adjustable trench kickeraccording to claim 9, wherein the hanger bracket further comprises abottom lip configured to engage a bottom edge of the concrete formpanel.
 13. The adjustable trench kicker according to claim 9, furthercomprising a mechanism for selectively adjusting the tension between thechannel bracket and the slider bracket.
 14. The adjustable trench kickeraccording to claim 13, wherein the mechanism comprises tensionadjustment apertures in the channel bracket and the slider bracket,wherein opposing aligned or partially aligned tension adjustmentapertures may engaged by a lever to slidably adjust the channel bracketrelative to the slider bracket.
 15. The adjustable trench kickeraccording to claim 9, wherein the channel bracket further comprises atleast one stake aperture for receiving a stake therethrough.
 16. Theadjustable trench kicker according to claim 9, wherein the channelbracket is further configured for fixed engagement with the hangerbracket.
 17. The adjustable trench kicker according to claim 9, whereinthe hanger bracket is configured to be adjustable for differing heightsof concrete form panels.
 18. The adjustable trench kicker according toclaim 9, wherein the slider bracket further comprises at least one stakeaperture for receiving a stake therethrough.
 19. A trench kicker,comprising: a hanger bracket for holding a concrete form panel; achannel bracket configured for engaging the hanger bracket; a sliderbracket configured for sliding engagement with the channel bracket; anda plurality of stake apertures in the channel bracket and the sliderbracket, wherein aligned stake apertures in the channel bracket and theslider bracket may receive a stake therethrough.
 20. The trench kickeraccording to claim 19, wherein the channel bracket and slider bracketmay be configured for engagement with each other in a plurality ofdiscrete horizontal lengths.